‘Conjurers’ Highlights The History Of The Contributions By Black Magicians To The Conjuring Arts

'Conjurers' Highlights The History Of The Contributions By Black Magicians To The Conjuring Arts

This should be fascinating! As I told the filmmaker (Kat Cheairs) when she and I met after the Independent Film Week panel I moderated a few weeks ago, I don’t believe this is a subject that’s been tackled on film yet – at least, nothing that I can think of.

But I love the idea, and I hope that she’s able to see it through completion, for what should be obvious reasons. There’s a history (and a present, and future) here that I’d argue isn’t as widely-known as it probably should be, nor documented.

Here are the details on the project, titled Conjurers:

Conjurers is a feature length documentary… examining the contributions of black magicians to the conjuring arts.

There is a rich tradition and history these individuals belong. Richard Potter, who is considered to be the first documented American-born magician, was also half-black and lived his life as a successful magician in the early 19th century. Kenrick “ICE” McDonald will make history as the first African American president of the Society of American Magicians in 2014. The organization was founded by Harry Houdini in 1902. This historic event will be the starting place for the story of Conjurers which explores the context for this significant moment in magic history as a whole.

Conjurers is currently in development and fundraising, and hopes to start principle production in winter 2013/14.

Kat has been developing Conjurers throughout 2013, and launched an Indiegogo fundraising campaign to support the start of production this month. However, the campaign wasn’t successful, so she continues to hunt for financing to make this film a reality.

When I have word on any future fundraising efforts that require your participation, I’ll share here.

In the meantime, check out Kat’s website (HERE) for more information on Conjurers, and also to donate via Paypal, to her cause. You’ll also learn more about the filmmaker herself.

A promo for Conjurers follows below, which Kat put together this summer: